Peptides and proteins: anti-virals to novel materials

Abstract

Dissertation under the direction of Professor David Wilson Wright

The fusion protein of the recently discovered human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was shown to be a homolog of previously characterized type I integral membrane fusion proteins. Computer models were generated to study structural aspects of the fusion protein and identify potential antagonists. Synthetic peptides from the heptad repeat regions were also shown to possess anti-viral activity. Unlike analogous HR-1 peptides from other viruses, the hMPV HR-1 peptide proved to be a very potent inhibitor with an EC50 ~ 46 nM. The synthesis of several hundred peptides for collaborative endeavors and the ‘difficult’ sequences of the heptad repeat regions led to the study of ionic liquids as potential solvents to address aggregation and other synthetic hurdles currently cleared by expensive and labor intensive methods. Concurrently, new biologically active materials comprised of functional enzymes encapsulated in SiO2 were synthesized and characterized with an eye towards these novel materials being used as synthetic reagents.